Lost Heritage

Location		Kirkby Mallory
Year demolished		1952
Reason		Damage from requisition during WWII and surplus to requirements
See all images:		No image available yet
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Kirkby Hall, situated in Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire, was built during the 17th century and played a significant role in the local history of the area. The earliest known reference to the hall appears in the 1666 Hearth Tax returns, marking its presence within the Noel family estate. Over the centuries, the hall bore witness to notable historical figures and events, including a connection to a pioneering mind of the 19th century.

The Noel family and early ownership

In 1593, Sir John Noel passed away, leaving the Kirkby Mallory estate to his eldest son, William Noel, who later served as High Sheriff of Leicester in 1604. Upon William's death, the estate passed to his son Verney Noel, whose eldest brother had predeceased their father. Verney married the second daughter of Wolston Dixy, and his only son, William Noel, married Margaret Lovelace, Baroness Wentworth. They had several children together.

Following the death of William's eldest son, Thomas Noel, in 1688 without descendants, the estate passed to his younger brother, John Noel. A 1696 rent roll described the estate as "The Manor of Kirkby Mallory, the mansion house with spacious fine gardens and orchard and belonging to it a very fine wood. A large park very well wooded and stored with deer," valuing it at £3,000.

18th-century developments

In 1771, Kirkby Hall underwent significant rebuilding and was enclosed within 780 acres of land. The building featured an inner hall, a ballroom and library each measuring 34ft x 14ft, and a billiard and smoking room. The rear housed domestic offices, including a spacious kitchen, servants' hall, larders, and storage rooms. The first floor contained nine large bedrooms with dressing rooms, alongside six smaller bedrooms. The second floor provided accommodation for servants, with five bedrooms for male and female staff, and attic box rooms.

A separate ice storage building existed on the estate. The 18th-century stable block, constructed of red brick with a rendered ground floor, remains standing and holds Grade II listed status today.

Sir Edward Noel, who had married Judith Lamb, held the estate until his death on 8 November 1774, leaving it to his son Thomas, the 2nd Viscount Wentworth. Edward was buried at All Saints Church, Kirkby Mallory, alongside his wife.

On 9 January 1777, Sir Edward's daughter, Judith, married Sir Ralph Milbanke at All Saints Church, officiated by her uncle, Rowney Noel. Their daughter, Annabella, was born in 1792.

By 1788, Lord Thomas Noel married Mary Dowager Countess Ligonier, but they had no children. However, Thomas had two illegitimate children, Anna and Thomas. Following his death in 1815, the estate was left to his sister, Lady Judith Milbanke, with the condition that she and her husband adopt the surname Noel. They moved into Kirkby Hall from Seaham Hall in County Durham.

The Byron connection

In 1815, Lady Annabella Byron, daughter of Judith Milbanke, moved to Kirkby Hall with her infant daughter, Augusta Ada Byron (later known as Ada Lovelace), following the breakdown of her marriage to the poet Lord Byron. Ada spent some of her younger years visiting Kirkby Hall, later becoming a mathematician and working with Charles Babbage on the design of the Analytical Engine.

Following Lady Judith's death in 1822, the hall stood empty, though Lady Byron and Ada occasionally returned to oversee estate matters. Ada married Lord King, 1st Earl of Lovelace, in 1834 and went on to have three children. She passed away in 1852 and was buried beside her father, Lord Byron, in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.

Later ownership and decline

In 1833, Baroness Sophia de Clifford purchased Kirkby Hall, moving in with her husband and family. Following her death in 1874, the family continued to reside at the hall until the late 1880s. By 1904, the Atherstone Hunt meet was held at Kirkby Hall, highlighting its continued use within the community.

In 1921, the Kirkby Hall estate, including village cottages, farms, and allotments, was put up for sale. Herbert Clarkson Hartley acquired the hall, though it fell into disuse after his death in 1941. During World War II, Kirkby Hall served as billets and its grounds were used as a Standby Landing Ground for RAF Desford.

Demolition and transformation

By 1947, the RAF vacated the site, leaving the building in a deteriorated state. Kirkby Hall was demolished in 1952, with only the stable block and coach house remaining. The estate was auctioned the following year, with Mr. Moult purchasing the land for use as a pony trotting circuit.

In 1955, Clive Wormleighton acquired the estate, transforming it into Mallory Park Racing Circuit at a cost of £60,000. The surviving stable block and coach house were repurposed as circuit offices, workshops, and hospitality facilities. The circuit attracted famous racers, including John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, and Jim Clark.